Why does Consumers Reports recommend Mazda 3, but not 6??

What would cause Consumers Reports to be negative on the relibility of the Mazda 6, but recommend the Mazda 3? I am shopping around, but am hesitant because of the negative press from CR. I like the Mazda 6, so if anyone has thoughts on why they recommend one but not the other, it will help! Thanks!

Have not subscribed to CR for some years so do not know what they are being negative about. One thing I do know is that the 6 has been out for a year longer than the 3 and problems inherent in a complete new model release have come out on the 6 and not yet of the 3. The 6 has had an abnormal number of recalls for a Mazda where the 3 has not. Remember that we are the final test subject for any new model released and problems are fixed as they develop in the field. Post what the negatives are that CU has and we can go from there. Vast majority of people that I know have been very happy with the 6 they have purchased.

Actually the 3's are known to have more TSB's than the 6's.

Consumers Reports is pretty generic in their analysis saying that "reliability has dropped to below average, so we no longer recommend the Mazda 6". It does have an above average satisfaction rating, however.

ok FRAGILE, has ten more tsbs out than the 3 but for recalls and ssp programs is far more. We actually do not have any current recalls or programs for the 3 and several out for the 6. My point was that these are some of the things that they look at for reliability and has a direct impact on the rating score. I have not run across anything that seems to be a regular problem on either of the vehicles to date. Both made a good entry into the market and have held their own so far. I would not hesitate to consider purchase of a 6 or a 3 although i like the looks of the 6 much more so than the 3.

disregard my previous statement. I had some misinformation. I do agree that from my experience as well, they are both good cars. I think consumer reports likes to deduct points from anything that isn't a Honda or Toyota.

One more thought on this topic.....I read that the 6 motor is supplied by ford and the 3 motor is supplied by mazda. I think ford owns most of mazda, so is there really any difference in the mazda and ford engines?

Thx for any comments.

i'm just taking a guess, but i think both vehicles are made the same. and yes, mazda/ford are basically one ordeal now.

Ford only owns 33% of mazda. Their engines differ greatly in the build quality as clearly any mazda vehical is going to wayyyyyyy out live a ford as far as reliability is concerned. The parts distribution between ford and mazda on the 6 is essentially the same as the 3 however there are parts on your mazda engine that if you look close enough will read FORD on em... my reccomendation, replace those parts immideatly with something made overseas! Consumer Reports reliability rating is also taking into account the number of recalls as babyhuey mentioned, and there are more for the 6 than the 3, that is a large factor in their reliability rating. They do conflict in their analysis however in that they mention the initial build quality to be extremely high. I think with some coaxing from loyal 6 owners and in comparison to it's Ford counter parts dictionaries worth of problems, the 6 should definatly have recieved a higher rating.

D to the B

I've noticed that all V-6 Mazdas are using some variation of the Ford Duratech used in the Taurus and Escape. Will Mazda begin to utilize thier own V-6 designs anytime soon? And slightly OT: how much control of Mazda does Ford have? I've read things like Mazda was "forced" to accept the Ford Escape (Tribute) rather than go with thier own design. How can this be if Ford only owns 33%?

Well, the reason CR hammers the 6 is due to its very low crash test rating.  There is also a difference in the 6 with the engines with the V6 being a Duratech engine, made by Ford, and the I4 completely made by Mazda.  I'm not sure about the 3, but thats just what I know about the 6.

uhh. colt 45. low safety ratings?   the NHSTA just did a release about a week ago. and the mazda6 got 5 stars for front driver/pssnger.  AND WAS ONE OF THE ONLY CARS TO GET A 5 STAR ROLLOVER RATING (w/ side airbags).   [im not yelling. only proving my point ]

plus. the mazda6 was the "Most Wanted Sedan Under $25,000 for 2007" by edmunds.  that says alot ( and not consumer reports, cus their suposed 2 rate washing machines, not cars )

Sorry, I didn't specify that I was talking about 2003-2004 models.  My model is 2004 so I was alking about that year.  I didn't know about the years after that.  Thanks for the update sin6racer.

Since picking up my Mazda6 on Dec. 9, 2002, I have not had one problem. The car handles great. The car is amazingly quiet. My wife sometimes drives 80mph and thinks she is doing 60. The car is that solid. The only negative that I have is that when I went on a long trip, my gas mileage ranged from 15.1 to 15.8 at best. About the same as my 1973 Ford Ranch wagon. My 1996 Oldsmobile 88 got between 29-31. What is wrong with that scenario?

Oops!!!  Sorry!!!
When I typed 15.2 to 15.8, I meant to type 25.2 to 25.8. Anything in the 15's would be SUV territory. I looked at my thread after I sent it. It sure didn't look right. However, 25mpg still stinks for a car of this size.
 

I am not getting that great of a gas milage currently, but I am from the NE and they put additives in the gasoline during the winter to keep it from freezes or sludging up and supposedly it lowers you MPG somewhat...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Rookie60

Since picking up my Mazda6 on Dec. 9, 2002, I have not had one problem. The car handles great. The car is amazingly quiet. My wife sometimes drives 80mph and thinks she is doing 60. The car is that solid. The only negative that I have is that when I went on a long trip, my gas mileage ranged from 15.1 to 15.8 at best. About the same as my 1973 Ford Ranch wagon. My 1996 Oldsmobile 88 got between 29-31. What is wrong with that scenario?

bro im feelin the exact same things about my 06 6.  its SO SOLID AND QUIET.  for a car that cost me $18k, its better than anything out there.   

for the bad MPG.  i think its due to our insanely short gearing.  the manual tranimssion revs 3000rpm@60mph, which is VERY high.  and if ur trip was highway and u did 80, constant revving at 3900RPM hurts fuel economy. 
its why alot of 6 drivers are complaining for the need of a 6th (overdrive) gear.